Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 387
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-17T13:25:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act (H.R. 387) aims to address economic hardships faced by farmers in Texas due to Mexico's failure to deliver water as required under a 1944 international treaty. It requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to compile and report on existing federal aid options that could help these producers.
Key Provisions
- Report Requirement: The Secretary of Agriculture must submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- Report Content: The report will list all current USDA authorities (legal powers) and programs that are currently available or could potentially be used to provide financial or other assistance to Texas agricultural producers.
- Scope of Assistance: The aid focuses on economic losses caused by Mexico's non-delivery of water under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (signed February 3, 1944) and its Supplementary Protocol (signed November 14, 1944). These agreements govern shared water resources between the U.S. and Mexico.
- Submission Recipients: The report goes to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct changes to existing laws or programs. It solely mandates a one-time informational report, without creating new funding, eligibility rules, or enforcement mechanisms for water delivery issues.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA will need to dedicate resources to research and prepare the report, potentially highlighting gaps in current aid programs that could inform future policy adjustments.
- On Citizens: Texas farmers and agricultural producers may benefit indirectly if the report leads to expanded use of existing aid, helping mitigate losses from water shortages (e.g., reduced irrigation for crops like cotton, sorghum, or vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley).
- On International Relations: The bill underscores U.S. concerns over Mexico's compliance with the 1944 treaty, which could prompt diplomatic discussions on water sharing without altering the treaty itself. It may increase pressure on bilateral negotiations managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Agricultural Producers in Texas: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those in water-dependent regions like the Lower Rio Grande Valley, who face crop failures and revenue losses.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Responsible for producing the report and potentially administering any highlighted aid programs.
- Congressional Committees: The House and Senate agriculture committees, which will receive and review the report to guide oversight or future legislation.
- U.S.-Mexico Relations: Indirectly involves the governments of the U.S. and Mexico, as the treaty compliance issue affects cross-border water management.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill references an international treaty but does not seek to enforce or amend it; instead, it focuses on domestic aid options, avoiding direct challenges to U.S. treaty obligations under Article VI of the Constitution (which treats treaties as supreme law).
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves standard congressional oversight of executive agencies (USDA) and does not infringe on separation of powers or foreign affairs authority.
- Political: Introduced by Texas representatives, it highlights regional economic concerns tied to international water disputes, potentially building bipartisan support for agricultural aid while signaling U.S. frustration with Mexico's water deliveries (a recurring issue in treaty cycles). The report could influence future farm bills or emergency aid packages without mandating action.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 2025-01-14: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-01-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act — issued 2025-01-14 — PDF (2 pages)